Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Classic Sale at CarFest 2026 - Saturday on Saturday the 29th of August, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN.
Built in November 1975, this remarkable BMW 320 was chassis number #50 off the right-hand drive production line and is understood to be the earliest known surviving right-hand drive 3-Series, making it an exceptionally significant example of BMW's now iconic model line
As one of the earliest production cars, this example retains several fascinating early-production details, including the absence of the black plastic panel between the rear lights, giving the rear of the car a distinctive appearance compared with later E21s
Today showing just under 76, 000 miles, the 320 is remarkably well preserved and understood to remain largely original. The Pastelblau paintwork presents beautifully while the interior has survived with only minimal wear consistent with its age and relatively modest mileage
The car has enjoyed considerable media attention over the years. A Total BMW feature in 2003 described it as 'the earliest 3-Series you will ever see' and suggested it may have been the oldest right-hand drive example in the world
More recently, it was invited onto the BMW stand at the Goodwood Revival as part of the celebrations marking 50 years of the 3-Series and was also featured by Autocar magazine in November 2025, adding further weight to its remarkable provenance
It's accompanied by a detailed history file including maintenance invoices, historic registration documents, old MOT Certificates, the Autocar magazine feature and BMW 50th Anniversary postcards produced for the Goodwood celebrations
